All Articles: Call of Duty: Black Ops III

CoD: Black Ops III Descent DLC Pack includes four multiplayer maps, zombies, dragons

Treyarch is back with another expansion pack for Call of Duty: Black Ops III. The Descent DLC Pack will be available to download for the PS4 on July 12 and, as always, it’ll contain four multiplayer maps and a new Zombies episode.

Descent’s multiplayer maps will feature a favorite from Black Ops II, an isolated lab, a Viking village, and a modern-day coliseum:

  • Empire: Treyarch adapts its Black Ops III movement system to the Call of Duty: Black Ops II fan favorite map Raid. The re-imagining of this classic, medium-sized map features an authentic Roman villa that has been “recreated by a modern-day eccentric billionaire,” where a classic map structure mixes with the new gameplay mechanics of Black Ops III.
  • Cryogen: Located far off the coast in the Dead Sea, an isolated compound holds some of the world’s most dangerous criminals in frozen isolation. Sentry towers keep watch over the small map’s circular design as frenetic combat is funneled around the prison’s cryogenic tubes, where opportunities for wall running attacks abound.
  • Berserk: Ancient sentinels from a lost civilization guard the entrance to Berserk, a Viking village frozen in time. Players will fight through blizzards, and control the center bridge as they navigate this medium-sized map’s wooden buildings, deadly rocky outcroppings, and tight chokepoints.
  • Rumble: Gamers battle amongst larger-than-life mechanized warriors in Rumble, a stadium where giant robots battle to the roar of the crowd. This medium-sized map funnels high-speed combat to the central arena, where players battle their way through fallen mechs and pyrotechnics.

But things really get crazy when you dig into the new Zombies Mode map, “Gorod Krovi.” Not only will players be forced to push back an assault from a “mechanized zombie infantry,” but they’ll also have to watch out for flying fireballs from a squadron of dragons:

Descent also thrusts players to an alternate universe of Nikolai’s motherland, the 1940s Soviet Union, in the next highly-anticipated chapter of the Origins Zombies saga, Gorod Krovi. Players face-off against a swarm of mechanized zombie infantry and dodge hell-fire from aerial dragon assaults, all in the middle of a raging battle within the remnants of Stalingrad. Gorod Krovi delivers the most exciting Zombies experience yet, filled with horrifying new enemies, exciting new gameplay mechanics and an epic set of Zombie annihilating weapons.

Call of Duty: Black Ops III’s Descent DLC Pack will also be available to download for the PC and Xbox One sometime in August.

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Uncharted 4 discovers the top spot on the NPD’s list of best-selling games for May 2016

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The NPD Group has revealed their tally of the best-selling games from May 2016, and four new titles were battling it out for the top spot. But ultimately, Naughty Dog’s Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End bested them all for the #1 spot on the list.

The three shooters that made the month of May a very crowded time for fans of the genre slotted in just behind Uncharted 4, and id Software’s Doom claimed the silver medal as the runner-up. And in the duel for the “Hero Shooter” crown, Blizzard took the first round as strong sales for Overwatch ensured a finish in the #3 spot. That means Gearbox had to settle for a bit less of the market thanks to Battleborn‘s fourth place debut.

Overall, the retail side of the industry did very well in May, which NPD’s Liam Callahan explained to GamesIndustry.biz: “Overall trends across new physical software, hardware, and accessories in May 2016 rose by 4%, or $19.3 million, due to 18% growth of new physical software, which offset the 10% decline of hardware, and the 2% decline in accessories”.

A complete look at last month’s best-selling retail games (which also includes Grand Theft Auto V, Minecraft, Dark Souls III, and others) can be found after the break. (more…)

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Most Call of Duty: Black Ops III owners can now purchase “The Giant” Zombies map

Activision and Treyarch have announced that “The Giant,” a Zombies map that was previously only accessible by players who pre-ordered Call of Duty: Black Ops III, is now available as a standalone download for $5.99.

“The Giant” map, which is a remake of “Der Riese” and follows Dempsey, Richtofen, Nikolai, and Takeo as they battle the undead in a secret research facility, can now be purchased on the PC, PS3, PS4, and Xbox One. According to the Activision Games Blog, Xbox 360 owners will be able to download “The Giant” at a later date.

And in case you missed it last year, the trailer for “The Giant” has been embedded above.

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Dark Souls III envelops your very being in darkness and despair… it was also the best-selling game of April 2016

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I’m sure this is a surprise to no one, but people really love the Dark Souls franchise. And according to The NPD Group (as reported by GamesIndustry.biz), Dark Souls III was the best-selling retail game in April 2016.

The finale to From Software’s brutally difficult trilogy beat out some stiff competition in April including the Ratchet & Clank reboot (#2), Quantum Break (#7), and Star Fox Zero (#10). MLB The Show 16 also got a boost from the opening of this year’s baseball season (#3), but it wasn’t enough to unseat the Babe Ruth of gothic action RPGs.

But even with a handful of big new releases, the retail sector as a whole suffered a huge decline from the year before, when Mortal Kombat X obliterated all expectations. “In April 2016, overall trends (hardware, new physical software, and accessories) were down 15% (or $88.5 million) compared to April 2015 due to a $41.6 million decline in hardware and a $52.8 million decline in software, with the $5.9 million growth in accessories unable to offset these losses,” said The NPD Group’s Liam Callahan.

However, Callahan added, “Despite these declines, keep in mind that Xbox One and PS4 are trending over 40% higher in cumulative sales after 30 months in the market compared to their predecessors.”

A complete look at last month’s best-selling retail games can be found after the break. (more…)

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PC, Xbox One owners will be able to buy CoD: Black Ops III Eclipse DLC Pack on May 19

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As expected, Activision and Treyarch will bring the Eclipse DLC Pack to the PC and Xbox One exactly 30 days after its PS4 debut. The Call of Duty: Black Ops III expansion will add four new competetive multiplayer maps to the game, along with the next episode in the cooperative Zombies saga:

  • Spire: Spire takes Multiplayer combat to a futuristic sub-orbital airport terminal set high in the clouds. Multiple levels and open areas promote intense, mid-range combat around a clean, high-tech civilian environment. Watch your step, because one wrong move could send you plummeting back through the stratosphere.
  • Rift: Head to the core of a harsh futuristic military complex, set high above an active caldera. Rift funnels and forces tight, intense engagements, where the only way through is forward. Utilize the unique core movement opportunities to outsmart and outplay enemies as you traverse the suspended rail system.
  • Knockout: Housed in a traditional Shaolin Temple with a retro twist, Knockout sets the stage for a bloody Kung Fu tournament. This mid-sized map showcases a sharp contrast between the mid-range engagements of the traditional exterior architecture and the tight close-quarters of an eclectic 1970’s styled interior.
  • Verge: In this re-imagination of the classic Call of Duty: World At War map, “Banzai,” Verge drops Multiplayer combat into the center of a distant post-apocalyptic future, where two warring factions are entrenched in constant battle. Take control of the key bridge, fortresses, tunnel systems and waterfalls as you engage in high-speed action through this medium-sized map.

Eclipse also sets the stage for “Zetsubou No Shima,” the highly-anticipated, all-new entry in the Call of Duty: Black Ops III Zombies storyline that spans the four DLC Map Packs for Black Ops III this year. The Origins characters continue on their mission to stop the zombie apocalypse not only in this universe but in all universes. Our heroes find themselves stranded on a remote Pacific island which is home to the Division 9 facility: a secret biological research lab whose experiments with Element 115 and its effects on human, animal, and plant biology has created horrors beyond belief. “Zetsubou No Shima” features a foliage rich island map including new terrifying zombie enemies, a variety of innovative transport mechanics, more devastating traps and classic Zombies side quests.

The Eclipse DLC Pack will be available to download as part of Black Ops III’s Season Pass (for $49.99) or as a standalone purchase (for $14.99). Two more DLC Packs will be released over the Summer ahead of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare‘s launch this November.

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Call of Duty: Black Ops III’s Eclipse DLC Pack is now available for the PS4

Just a reminder, the Eclipse DLC Pack for Call of Duty: Black Ops III is now available to download on the PS4 as part of the Season Pass or as a standalone purchase ($14.99). Activision and Treyarch also released a new trailer to get players pumped for the multiplayer expansion. You can find it embedded above, and you can find a quick refresher of all its contents right here:

  • Spire: Spire takes Multiplayer combat to a futuristic sub-orbital airport terminal set high in the clouds. Multiple levels and open areas promote intense, mid-range combat around a clean, high-tech civilian environment. Watch your step, because one wrong move could send you plummeting back through the stratosphere.
  • Rift: Head to the core of a harsh futuristic military complex, set high above an active caldera. Rift funnels and forces tight, intense engagements, where the only way through is forward. Utilize the unique core movement opportunities to outsmart and outplay enemies as you traverse the suspended rail system.
  • Knockout: Housed in a traditional Shaolin Temple with a retro twist, Knockout sets the stage for a bloody Kung Fu tournament. This mid-sized map showcases a sharp contrast between the mid-range engagements of the traditional exterior architecture and the tight close-quarters of an eclectic 1970’s styled interior.
  • Verge: In this re-imagination of the classic Call of Duty: World At War map, “Banzai,” Verge drops Multiplayer combat into the center of a distant post-apocalyptic future, where two warring factions are entrenched in constant battle. Take control of the key bridge, fortresses, tunnel systems and waterfalls as you engage in high-speed action through this medium-sized map.

Eclipse also sets the stage for “Zetsubou No Shima,” the highly-anticipated, all-new entry in the Call of Duty: Black Ops III Zombies storyline that spans the four DLC Map Packs for Black Ops III this year. The Origins characters continue on their mission to stop the zombie apocalypse not only in this universe but in all universes. Our heroes find themselves stranded on a remote Pacific island which is home to the Division 9 facility: a secret biological research lab whose experiments with Element 115 and its effects on human, animal, and plant biology has created horrors beyond belief. “Zetsubou No Shima” features a foliage rich island map including new terrifying zombie enemies, a variety of innovative transport mechanics, more devastating traps and classic Zombies side quests.

And don’t worry, PC and Xbox One owners will be able to download the Eclipse DLC Pack sometime in May.

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Get a preview of the new maps in CoD: Black Ops III’s Eclipse DLC Pack right here

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Call of Duty: Black Ops III‘s Eclipse DLC Pack will be released for the PS4 on April 19, but for fans who just can’t wait a few more days, Activision and Treyarch have unveiled a series of teaser trailers for each map.

In case you need a refresher course, the four maps of Eclipse are a varied bunch including “Spire,” a sub-orbital airport terminal set high in the clouds. But watch your step, because there aren’t any railings. “Rift” also requires some fancy footwork as its’ a munitions plant perched above the caldera of an active volcano. Meanwhile, “Knockout” imports a Shaolin Temple from a 70s Kung Fu movie into Call of Duty. And yes, there is a disco room so you can dance, dance, dance. And finally, “Verge” reimagines World At War‘s “Banzai” map as the wasteland of a distant post-apocalyptic future.

You can find all four trailer after the break. And don’t forget, the Eclipse DLC Pack will also be released for the PC and Xbox One sometime in May. (more…)

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CoD: Black Ops III’s next Zombies episode is Zetsubou No Shima… get a sneak peek here

Treyarch will release the Eclipse DLC Pack for Call of Duty: Black Ops III next week, but the developer couldn’t wait to upload a brand new for trailer the next Zombies episode to the Activision Games Blog.

In “Zetsubou No Shima” (which roughly translates to “Want of Despair”), players will guide Takeo, Dempsey, Richtofen, and Nikolai through an isolated island in the Pacific that’s populated with zombies, mutant spiders, and plant monsters:

Zetsubou No Shima continues the saga of Treyarch’s Origins characters as they find themselves stranded on a remote Pacific island. To survive and uncover the mysteries of the island, Takeo, Dempsey, Richtofen, and Nikolai will have to overcome powerful new enemies created within a secret Division 9 research lab housed there.

PS4 players will be able to download the Eclipse DLC Pack beginning on April 19, while PC and Xbox One owners will have to wait until sometime in May. In the meantime, you can also check out Zetsubou No Shima’s prologue, which is embedded after the break. (more…)

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